I was keen to tag along on Steve’s business trip to Krakow. This was my first time visiting Poland, and although I was looking forward to it, I can’t say that I had high expectations. It turns out, Krakow may be one of my favourite European cities. True to form, the underrated destinations often exceed expectations. I LOVED Krakow.
What to do in Krakow on a business trip tag-along
Krakow is a mid-sized city that is very easy to get around on foot. We stayed at a hotel near the convention centre, and much of what I wanted to see was at most a half hour walk away. Dining is extremely reasonably priced, English is widely spoken, and there is a tonne of stuff to do while your spouse is occupied with work. We visited in May, which was perfect weather-wise (not too hot). Everything was in full bloom, and people seemed to be in great spirits after an apparently long winter.
This is what I did (or wish I had done) over the six days I visited Krakow:
Rent a Bike
I intended to use the bikes that my hotel provided free of charge to explore the excellent bike paths throughout the city. Alas, the day I had planned to do this was the one day it poured rain. There are cyclists everywhere, and the bike paths make it very easy and safe to get around. The Vistula River is gorgeous, and paths line both banks. Cycling would be a fab way of enjoying the city. I did run along the river on two mornings just after sunrise, and it was beautiful.
Renyk Underground
When the city of Krakow decided to refurbish its main square and pulled up the pavement, it discovered remnants of the city’s medieval history. The renovation was delayed for five years while archaeologists moved in to excavate the area. Now, visitors can descend underground to discover Krakow’s past in a unique, interactive archaeological reserve that illustrates the city’s culture and trade centres. The museum uses holograms, touchscreens, and reconstructions using actual artifacts. It’s a fascinating look at the life and culture of this period of history. I do wish I would have taken a guided tour of the museum rather than going it on my own. Although the displays have English summaries, overall I think that deeper context would have been helpful.
Take a Free Krakow Walking Tour
There are several Free Walking Tour tours you can take of specific regions of the city. I did two. Each tour is two and a half hours, and the guides are excellent. This tour company prides itself on the fact that its guides are all Polish/English speaking natives. No need to register in advance. Just show up at the designated spot at the appointed time. As with any free tour, making a donation to the organization at the end based on your experience is proper etiquette.
Old Town
This tour takes you through the city’s beginnings, its various rises and declines, briefly weighs into the dark period of Nazi Germany’s invasion, and through to the present day.
Take this tour early in your visit to Krakow because the guide provides several good recommendations for places to visit, eat, and explore along the way.
Along the Old Town tour you’ll come upon this massive sculpture of a head by Igor Mitoraj.
Jewish Quarter
Visit the Kazimierz neighbourhood to understand the history of Jewish people in the city. See where legendary cosmetic giants Max Factor and Helena Rubenstein lived and hear interesting stories about other notable Jewish citizens. Steven Spielberg shot the blockbuster movie Schindler’s List here, and the tour points out locations of various plot points and dishes on behind-the-scenes stories.
I was blown away to find out that Krakow’s thriving Jewish community numbered 68,000 before World War II. Today, there are only about 200 self-identified Jews who call Krakow home. I’m not sure why I found that surprising given the history, but I did.
These chairs stand in the large square in what used to be the overcrowded Jewish ghetto where Jews assembled before being taken to the concentration camps. The empty chairs represent the many items left behind.
Get full-on hearty Polish food
I love Polish food! In my mind, so many dishes fall into the “comfort food” category. Restaurant prices are very reasonable, and there are many places in and around the Old Town that offer traditional fare. One restaurant shout-out I want to make is for Wesele. We had exceptional service, and the food was delicious – especially the borscht and the sour rye soup, which comes in an adorable little bread bowl.
There was also a festive market in the Old Square while we were there and I took full advantage of one of the pierogi kiosks. I LOVE pierogies and ate my fill. These delectable morsels had all kinds of unique stuffings including sundried tomato and blue cheese, and olive and feta. Yum! Dough and filling is an unbeatable combination in any culture.
A Polish dish I was unfamiliar with but declared an immediate favourite as soon it hit my tongue was this grilled goat cheese called oscypek. Oh my gosh, it’s amazing! It’s super salty on its own, but with a dollop of cranberry jelly on top, it is melt-in-your-mouth perfect. If you’re a salty-sweet person, this is your Polish go-to snack.
Enjoy the music of Chopin in his birthplace
Although Frederik Chopin was buried in Paris, his birthplace was Poland and Krakow has a gallery dedicated to the romantic classical composer. If you’re a fan, take in one of the weekly concerts at the Chopin Gallery and enjoy an hour-long recital while sipping a glass of sparkling white wine. Shows start at 7:00 p.m. It was a lovely way to start an evening out.
Walk along the Father Bernatek Footbridge
I fell in love with the whimsical artwork on this pedestrian bridge, which crosses the Vistula River from the Jewish Quarter Kazimierz to the district of Podgórze.
The acrobat figures teetering on the bridge’s high wires were originally a temporary art installation. People so adored the exhibit that the city decided to keep it. It’s also become a location for couples to declare their commitment by latching a padlock on the side of the bridge. At night, the bridge is awash in purple/pinkish light. It’s just a lovely stroll that you shouldn’t miss. I walked it a few times and could have done it a dozen or so more.
Sip Bison Grass Vodka
I had tried this vodka before my visit to Krakow as we have a relative who immigrated to Canada from Poland who has a pipeline to this spirit through family members. Try it even if you’re not a fan of vodka. It’s exceptionally smooth and excellent chilled. In my opinion, it’s best on its own over ice.
Overall Krakow Tag-Along Rating is A+
Once again, the under-the-radar city steals my heart. Krakow is my new favourite European city. For a semi-solo traveller on a tag-along business trip, it has a lot in its favour. It’s extremely walkable, safe, and fun. There is a tonne to do to keep occupied on your own or with your partner once the work day is done. I’m not sure what the vibe would be like in winter, but in the spring it’s a lively, beautiful city.
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